NUR 2474 Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing Exam 2
(Latest) Rasmussen
# NUR 2474 Pharmacology for Professional Nursing Exam 2 (Latest) - Rasmussen University
Below is a comprehensive, updated compilation of **NUR 2474 Exam 2** questions organized by topic,
with verified answers and detailed rationales based on multiple 2025/2026 test banks .
---
## � SECTION 1: DIURETICS & CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
,---
**Q1.** A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a respiratory rate
of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink sputum. The nurse caring for this
patient will expect to administer which drug?
A) Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
B) Furosemide (Lasix)
C) Mannitol (Osmitrol)
D) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
---
**� Correct Answer: B) Furosemide (Lasix)**
**Rationale:** Furosemide, a potent loop diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization of fluid is
needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with respiratory distress and
pulmonary edema and needs immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
are not indicated for pulmonary edema because their diuretic effects are less rapid. Mannitol is
indicated for patients with increased intracranial pressure .
---
**Q2.** A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of congestive heart
failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an irregular heart rate of 86
beats per minute, crackles in both lungs, and a blood pressure of 130/82 mm Hg. Which laboratory value
causes the nurse the most concern?
A) Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
,B) Oxygen saturation of 90%
C) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
D) Serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L
---
**� Correct Answer: C) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L**
**Rationale:** Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Hypokalemia (K+ <3.5 mEq/L) increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity and fatal dysrhythmias. The irregular heart rate is already a warning sign. This
value requires immediate attention .
---
**Q3.** A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation reveals
crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. Which diuretic agent ordered by the
prescriber should the nurse question?
A) Bumetanide (Bumex)
B) Furosemide (Lasix)
C) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
D) Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
---
**� Correct Answer: C) Spironolactone (Aldactone)**
, **Rationale:** Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. A serum potassium level of 6 mEq/L
indicates hyperkalemia, which is a contraindication for spironolactone. Bumetanide, furosemide, and
hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics and would be appropriate in a patient with
hyperkalemia .
---
**Q4.** A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix) for congestive heart failure. The
prescriber orders digoxin to help increase cardiac output. What other medication will the nurse expect
to be ordered for this patient?
A) Bumetanide (Bumex)
B) Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
C) Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
D) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
---
**� Correct Answer: D) Spironolactone (Aldactone)**
**Rationale:** Spironolactone is used in conjunction with furosemide because of its potassium-sparing
effects. Furosemide can contribute to hypokalemia, which increases the risk of fatal dysrhythmias,
especially with digoxin administration. The other diuretics listed are all potassium-wasting diuretics .
---
**Q5.** A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient has been prescribed
captopril (Capoten) with spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning labs show serum potassium of 5.1 mEq/L.
Which intervention is appropriate?
Professional Nursing Exam 2
(Latest) Rasmussen
# NUR 2474 Pharmacology for Professional Nursing Exam 2 (Latest) - Rasmussen University
Below is a comprehensive, updated compilation of **NUR 2474 Exam 2** questions organized by topic,
with verified answers and detailed rationales based on multiple 2025/2026 test banks .
---
## � SECTION 1: DIURETICS & CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
,---
**Q1.** A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a respiratory rate
of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink sputum. The nurse caring for this
patient will expect to administer which drug?
A) Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
B) Furosemide (Lasix)
C) Mannitol (Osmitrol)
D) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
---
**� Correct Answer: B) Furosemide (Lasix)**
**Rationale:** Furosemide, a potent loop diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization of fluid is
needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with respiratory distress and
pulmonary edema and needs immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
are not indicated for pulmonary edema because their diuretic effects are less rapid. Mannitol is
indicated for patients with increased intracranial pressure .
---
**Q2.** A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of congestive heart
failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an irregular heart rate of 86
beats per minute, crackles in both lungs, and a blood pressure of 130/82 mm Hg. Which laboratory value
causes the nurse the most concern?
A) Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
,B) Oxygen saturation of 90%
C) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
D) Serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L
---
**� Correct Answer: C) Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L**
**Rationale:** Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. Hypokalemia (K+ <3.5 mEq/L) increases the
risk of digoxin toxicity and fatal dysrhythmias. The irregular heart rate is already a warning sign. This
value requires immediate attention .
---
**Q3.** A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation reveals
crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. Which diuretic agent ordered by the
prescriber should the nurse question?
A) Bumetanide (Bumex)
B) Furosemide (Lasix)
C) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
D) Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
---
**� Correct Answer: C) Spironolactone (Aldactone)**
, **Rationale:** Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. A serum potassium level of 6 mEq/L
indicates hyperkalemia, which is a contraindication for spironolactone. Bumetanide, furosemide, and
hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics and would be appropriate in a patient with
hyperkalemia .
---
**Q4.** A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix) for congestive heart failure. The
prescriber orders digoxin to help increase cardiac output. What other medication will the nurse expect
to be ordered for this patient?
A) Bumetanide (Bumex)
B) Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
C) Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
D) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
---
**� Correct Answer: D) Spironolactone (Aldactone)**
**Rationale:** Spironolactone is used in conjunction with furosemide because of its potassium-sparing
effects. Furosemide can contribute to hypokalemia, which increases the risk of fatal dysrhythmias,
especially with digoxin administration. The other diuretics listed are all potassium-wasting diuretics .
---
**Q5.** A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient has been prescribed
captopril (Capoten) with spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning labs show serum potassium of 5.1 mEq/L.
Which intervention is appropriate?
